Do’s and Don’ts of Sharing Your Faith Part II

Last time we were together I shared that we need to be led by the Spirit of God when we share our faith.  We should ask God to give us a burden with whom he wishes us to share his word with.   I used the story in Acts chapter 8 of the Ethiopian Eunuch, and the Story of Ananias and Paul from Acts 9 as examples.  In continuing our study we will continue to use the example of Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch to expound on my next point.  

Do use the  scriptures  to  share your faith .  Many of us as believers are content with living a Godly lifestyle in front of others.  This is important and necessary, but we should also verbally share our faith with others.  We are to be his witness in this world.  Who has ever heard of a silent witnesses. In a courtroom a witness is compelled to share his testimony, in the courtroom of this world,  the Christian is duty bound by the judge of heaven to share his testimony verbally.  Acts 8:  29-35 tells us,

The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

 ^31-33He answered, “How can I without some help?” and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this:

   As a sheep led to slaughter,
      and quiet as a lamb being sheared,
   He was silent, saying nothing.
      He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial.
   But who now can count his kin
      since he’s been taken from the earth?

 ^34-35The eunuch said, “Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?” Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.

The Word of God says that: “he preached Jesus to Him”.  As God directs and an opportunity presents itself we must also preach Jesus to them.  Share the scriptures. Remember the Word of God is a living force .  Hebrews 4:12 says 

  ¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Even Jesus himself used the scriptures to share with the disciples on the Road to Emmaus after he was risen from the dead.

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

 ¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

   They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

   ¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

   “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

 ²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

In conclusion, it is necessary to be led by the Spirit as we are given a burden for someone by our Father in Heaven to share his word and our faith with others.  Just as important is the sharing of his life-giving word with others.  My prayer is that we continue to ask God for a burden for someone we know, and after the burden is given to us, that we share the Word with that person.  If Phillip and Jesus used the scriptures to witness, how much more should we?  God bless you all

Pastor Greg